Centrifugal concrete-pole machine.



W. H. LIENESCH.

CENTRIFUGAL coucnm POLE MACH NE.

APPLICATION FILED AUGIZ. IQIB- Patented A pr. 17, 1917.

QSQEELS-SHEET P. R v

w. H.L|ENESUH. CENTRIFUGAL CONCRETE POLE MACHHE.

APPLICATION FILED AUG.2| I916- Pafl-nted Apr. 17, 1917.

3 SNEETS-SHEET 3.

UNITED sTA'rns ra'rniutr OFFICE.

WALTER H. LIENESCH, or CHICAGO, ILLINOIS, ASSIGN on To UNIVERSAL corwlmvrn rnonoo'rs COMPANY,- F CHICAGO, ILLINOIS, A CORPORATION or DELAWARE.

CENTRIFUGAL CONCRETE-POLE MACHINE.

I Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented Apr. 17, 1917.

Application filed August 2; 1916. Serial N 0. 112,661.

crete-Pole Machines, of which the following is a specification.

My invention relates to concrete pole machines, particularly to that class in which concrete mixture is located and compacted in a mold by centrifugal force to form a tubular. reinforced pole structure.

llimy co-pendmg application Serial No. 74,748, filed January 28, 1916, which has matured into Patent No. 1,199,997, granted Oct. 3, 1916,1-disclosea machine on which my present invention may be considered an improvement. In the machine of this co-pending application a rotatable carrier is provided with track rollers and clamps which directly receive the mold in which ISO is the concrete. mixture. With this arrangement the mold thickness varies with different sizes of pole and the entire mold with all its'weight must betransported in order to remove the finished pole therefrom and must be carried back to the machine after rc-filling.

The object of my invention is to provide improved construction and arrangement which will make the operation of the ma chine more practical and more efficient. More in detafl, an important feature of the invention is the provision of a mold of light sheet metal'construction, and a holder therefor which is adapted to be inserted in .the oarrierof the machine to beclampe'd therein between the rollers and clamping heads and which in turn securely clamps the halves of the supported mold together and centers the mold in the machine preparatory to axial rotation of the carrier. With this arrangement it is necessary only to trans port the light mold with the finished pole, the holder being merely slid out of the machine and opened to receive the mold while it is being filled and is then closed and shiftedback into'the machine carrier. Another advantage of this arrangement" is that one.

holderimay serve for receiving molds of different dlmenslons. I a

On the atcompanying drawings the various feature; of my invention are clearly illustrated, the machine being the same as that shown in my co-pending application except that my improved mold mechanism is substituted. On the drawings Figure 1 is an end elevational view of the machine,

Fig. 2 is a plan view of the carrier and its supporting and driving mechanism, a

Flg. 1s a sectional view of the mold I mechanism on. plane 33, Fig. 1,

Fig. 4 is an enlarged side elevational view of a short length of the mol'dmg mechanism with part if the holder indiametral sec-\ tion, and

Fig. 5

Fig. 1.

Briefly describing the machine supporting is asectlonal view on plane 55,

structure; 't he mold carrier 5 is i the form I of a cylindrical pipe of a le h suitable for the diiferent poles to be 'formed. At intervals iings 6 surround the pipe. to strengthen it and such rings are preferably of Tscetio11 to act rails. With each ring or rail band is assoeiateda supporting frame structure I suitably built up of structural iron, each frame comprising a base structure 7 from whose ends sidc beams 8 and 9 extend. upwardlv toward each other so that the resultiihg frames are of triangularshape, tie. plates '..0, l1 and 12 holding the frame parts together. On each base structure is mounted a bearing frame 13 which supports at its ends journal boxes 14 and 15 in which track whee ls 16 and 17 are journaled to receive the 1-1 :spectivc rail bands on the carrier.

'The journal boxes are vertically and laterally adjus'rable by means of wedge "mechanisms 18 and screws 19. .Tohold the carrier onthe various supporting track wheels an upper track wheel 20 is provided on' each frame F and journaled in a box 21 supported .betwecn tle upper and lower cross beams 22 for the carrier" for causing axial'rot'ation thereof. lireferably an electric motor M is connected by a flexible coupling with the" shaft 26 secured to and extending axially from the carrier.

In the carrier are means for receiv ng,

centering and clamping mold mechanism,

such means being located in suitably spaced-- apart zones. In each zone-at one side of a dlametral planejournal boxes 27 are secured against theinner side of the carrier and journal rollers 28, while above the diametral plane are clamping devices 29. Each clampmg device comprises a supportin frame 30 and a clamping head 31 radial y slidable therein, screw shafts 32 extending upwardly from the heads through openings 33 rovided in the carrier. Each screw sha t is threadedly engaged by a bevel gear 34 which when turned will effect inward or outward shift of the head. There may be any number of clamping devices, three being shown, and means are preferably provided for simultaneously actuating all the members of a zone; As shown, shafts are journaled in extensions 36 on the frames 30 and at their ends support bevel gears 37, 33, 39 and 450; the gears 3'7 and 39 meshing with the bevel gear 34 of the middle clampingdevice-and the gears 38 and 40 meshing with the gear 34 of the outer clamping devices. Each screw shaft has preferably a polygonal head 41 by means of which .it may be readily turned by a tool, and upon turning of any screw shaft of a zone, the other screw shafts will be correspondingly rotated and'all the clamping heads will shift simultaneously. At the beginning of an operation of the machine the carrier is in position to bring the rollers 28 below the ln'irizontal axial plane in order that a mold structure may be shifted into the carrier on the rollers, the clamping devices being then above the horizontal plane to be brought into clamping engagement with the received mold structure.

' The mold structure of my invention. comprises a mold mand a holder It. consists of the twosimilar halves 4-2 and 43 which, as shown, a.re of semi-circular crosssections The halves are formed from single strips ofsheet metal in suitable dies, the half "gaskets 52 and 53.

42 having its ends deflected laterally to form flanges 44 and 45, and the half/13 having I similar flanges 46 and 47, these'fla'nges seating together to form the mold of circular cross-section. Within this mold is p g-zed thecement mixture, and'in order-to more effectively seal the mold against escape of the mixture the opposed flanges 44, 46 and 45, 47 have the longitudinally opposed grooves 48,49'and 50, 51 therein in which opposed grooves are received the sealing The holder for the mold comprises the sheet metal halves 54'and 55 of semi-circular cross Section, the holder being cylindrical The mold throughout when the halves are brought together and of such externaldiameter that it will readily fit in the machine carrier 5 between the rollers 28 and the clamping heads 31. Means are provided fOr'Eecurmg the holder halves together and preferably thehalves are, hinged along one edge as by means of. hinges 56 secured thereto at intervals, while at the opposite edges of the halves latch mechanism is applied. As. shown, an

angle bar 57 is secured along the edge of the k half 54 with its leg 58 extending radially and provided with spaced holes 59 for receiving the latch tongues (30 extending from fittings 61 secured to the opposite-half 55. hen the halves are brought together the holes receive the tongues and the half edges are guided accurately toward each other. The tongues may be provided with cross holes (32' for receiving the wedges (i3 driven therethrough and against the leg 58 of the angle bar in order to lock the holder halves together. Each holder half has a plurality of suitably spaced diametrally extending cross-walls 6-1- and (35 respectively whose opposed inner edges are out out to leave notches or pockets ()6 and (37, the shape of such pockets conforming with the cross-section of the mold m. If such mold is cylindrical as' shown, the pocketsai-e semi-circular. The ends of the cross walls adjacent the mold are cut away sulliciently to leave the clearance spaces 6b and (it) for the mold .flanges.

Leading to the carrier of the machine is a trackway composed ofrollers 70, and on this trackway the mold structure rests while the mold is being filled preparatory to a centrifugal treatment. The lower half 65 of the holder rcstson the rollers and the top 54 is swung back on the. hinges. ()ne of the mold halves is then plat-ed in the holder and seated in the pockets ()7 of the cross walls. A metal reinforcing structure, which may.

sisv

consist of longitudinal rods 71 and cross wires 72,. is then suspended in the moldhalf and thecemcnt material poured in. In order to close the ends of the mold against escape of the cement the mold halves at one end are provided with abutment ring halves 73 and 74:, and at the other -with abutment ring halves 75 and 76, and end disks or head's 77 and 7 8 air. inserted against the insides of the rings. A fter'the cement has been poured in, the upper half of the mold is applied, the gaskets 52- and 53 serving to guide the halves into true registration and later "serving to seal the mold against escape of the cement mixture. .The upper half of the holder is then swung against the lower half, the pins or tongues 60 entering the holes 59 and then the wedges 62 are applied. The holder with the mold therein is then shifted along the track rollers 70 into the end of the carrier 5 (It i ahd through the carrier along their-ark rollers-28. hen the holder has becu entirely inserted the clampingdcvicc actuating mecl'r anism operated to force the clamping heads inwardly against the top half of the holder. The top and lower holder halves arethcn 'forced together and the pressure is comlnnnicated by the cross walls ill and ('35 to the upper and lower halves of the mold. and these mold halves are securely clamped together and the gaskets(aanprcssed, and then the motor M is started and the carrier rotated axially. The resulting, centrifugal action on theoemcnt will cause it to position itself compactly against the cylindrical mold sides to form a tuhularpole whose inner eylindrioal surfaoe T9 is represented hy thedotted line (Fig. 5). There may be any number of clamping zones on the. carrier and the spacing is preferably such that the zones will be coincident with the cross walls in the holder so that the cross walls ma'y directly take up the clamping pressure and transmit it to the mold halves.

After the machine has been rotated suflieiently to l'ornrthc pole it is stopped and the clamps are released. The holder with the mold therein is then drawn out of the carrier and hack to the track rollersTO.

The wedges 2 are, withdrawn and the upper The en .half of lhe holder is swung away. t-n'e 'mold is then withdrawn. this being lil(lll accomplished hy hooking umler the mold sealing! flangcsl The lnold halves are then pulled apart, stirrups or straps 80 l)t mg provided for receiving hooks.

are available for the formation of another pole and are placed lll the holder as before described and the forming operationas re- .\s the mold is constructed of comparatively thin sheet metal it is very light and it.

together with the formed pole thcrc'un can be very readily carried away. from the holder. The holder itself need never be bodily carried, it being merely shifted into and out. ofthe machine carrier. Both the core and the holder can be readily and inexpensivelvformcd up of sheet metal.

The; mold shown on the drawings is of circular cross-section and longitudinally conical or tapered, the various cross walls of the holder being out out to intimately fit the various diameters of the pole. The same holder can be used in the formation of poles of different lengths and diameters. In Fig.

3 the holder is adapted for the formation of tapered poles of circular cross-section. If a pole is desired, shorter than the length of the holder a mold of the desired length is placed in that section of the holderifi whioh the cross walls will fit the mold. Itis'also evident that; poles of polygonal cross-section mcchanism to rotate therewith After removal of the concrete pole the mold halves can he formed. In this case the inner edges ot'thc holder cross walls would have polygonal pockets lor fitting the sides and u i'dth of the mold a; the various sections.

I do not desire to be limited to the exact construction. arrangement and operation shown and described. as changes and modifications are no doubt possible which would still come within the scope of the invention. 1 claim as follows: i

1; In a concrete pole machine, the combination with carrier mechanism and means for axially rotating the same, of a mold structure comprising a mold and a holder therefor, said holder bein adapted to be removahly inserted in sai( carriern'iechanism to I'Utlltt therewith, and means for removahly clan ping said mold centrally in said holder. l

2. In a concrete poleniachine, the combination with carrier mechanism and means for rotating it axially, of mold mechanism comprising a iolder and a mold, said holder being adapted for insertion in the carrier and being longitudinally sectional whereby it may be opened to receive the mold, said mold being also longitudi ially sectional whereby it may he opened to receive eemcnt material. and opposed cros walls in the holder sections cutout at the r inner ends to fit and receive the mold sect ons.

3. In a col crele pole machine. the comhination with carrier mechanism adapted to be rotated avia-lly and having clamping zones proviihd with clamping mechanism, of mold mechanism comprising a cylindrical holder and a mold. said holder being longitudinally div ded into two sections hinged together at inc edge whereby the holder may he opcnal to receive the mold. said parts. and criss walls in the holder parts shaped at their inner ends to receive and fit against the mold parts to hold these mold parts togcthc r when the holder parts are closed together, said holder being adapted to be inserted in the carrier mechanism to receive the pressure of the clampingmecha 'i1i Sm against its parts and to transmit the pressure through the cross walls to the. mold parts to securely lock the mold parts to get'her during; rotation of the holderwith the carrier n1 whanism.

4. In a eonzrete polemaehine, the combination with axially rotatable carrier mech-.

anism having clamping zones rovided with centering and clamping mee anisrn, .of a.

cylindrical mold holder divided longitudinally into upper and lower halves, said halves being hinged together at one edge, a. mold divided longitudinally into upper and lower halves. cross walls in said holder halves shaped at their inner ends to receive 105 mold being lrngitudinally divided into two -'clamping mechanism in said carrierand.

g per and lower halves, said halves being as upper and lower have of the mold, said holder being adapted to be inserted in'the carrier mec anism to receive the pressure of the clamps against its halves and to transmit such pressure to the mold'balves, whereby said mold halves are rigidly locked to gether during rotation of the holder with the carrier mechanism.

5. In a concrete ole machine, the combination with. a, cy indrical carrier, radial means for rotating said carrier axially, of a mold holder divided longitudinally into uphinged along "one edge whereby they may be separated, a, mold divided into upper and lower separablejhalves, sets of opposed cross walls in the: holder halves cut out at theirinner ends to"receive th'e mold halves and gaged by the radial clamping mechanisnnto center themold axially in said hdldei', said holder fitting into said carrier to be enanism divided into clamping zones, track rollers atthe lower parts of said zones and 'radial clamping mechanism at the upper art of the zones-,pf a mold holder divided on itudinally into upper and lower halves,

' sai holder being adapted to be inserted in the carrier mechanism with itslower half resting onthe track rollers and its upper half in positionto be engaged by the clamping mechanism, a mold divided into upperand lower separable halves, sets of opposed cross walls insaid holder halves cut out at their inner ends to receive and fit the upper and lower mold halves to thereby center the mold in the holder, the pressure of the carholder axially. t p

9. In a centrifugal pole machine, the coming rier clampingmechanism on the holder bemg transmitted by the holder cross walls to the mold halves whereby said mold halves are securely held together during rotation of the holder with the carrier mechanism.

7. A mold holder for centrifu al concrete pole machines divided longitutinally into upper and lower halves, and cross walls in said halves shaped at their inner ends to receive and center a. mold in the holder.

8. A mold holder for-centrifugalconcrete poles comprising two semiwylindrical halves ainged alongone edge and provided with latch mechanism at the other edges, pairs of. opposed cross walls in said halves cut out at their axial sections to receive and fit the sides of a mold and to center the mold in the bination of a, mold holder comprising upper and lower senn-cylindrical halves lunged to- Jgether along one edge and provided with.

latching mechanism at the opposite edges, a

mold divided longitudinally into upper and lower halves, and pairs of opposed cross walls in said holder halves cut out at their inner ends to receive the halves of the mold and to center 'the mold in the holder. 10. A- mold for concrete poles divided longitudinally into upper and lower halves, flanges extending radially from the edges of said halves, said flangesbeing grooved, an'd gaskets inserted in said grooves to be compressed between the fianges to seal the mpld.

11. A mold for concrete pole machines comprising longitudinally extending halves of sheet metal, flanges extending radially fronathe edges of the halves, said flanges bethe opposed efi'ected to form longitudinal channels, ,the channels m opposed flanges registering,

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